Irrigation device



rch 17, 1936. w. H. COLEYS ET AL IRRIGATION DEVICE Filed Jan. 10, 1934 v Patented Mar. 17, 1936 QFFIE IRRIGATION DEVICE Walter H. Coles and Bert J. Nelson,

assignors to The Skinner Irrigation Troy, Ohio, Company,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to irrigation sprinklers, and more particularly to irrigation sprinklers having a revolving distributing pipe.

One object of the invention is the provision of a sprinkling apparatus of economical and simple construction, adapted to throw a large stream of water to a maximum distance and arranged to provide a reliable slow rotation of the stream.

Another object is the provision of a sprinkler of the character mentioned, in which the sprinkler head is adequately supported on a fixed post by means of bearings extending above and below the line of force due to water reaction from a main distributing pipe which extends angularly upwardly from the sprinkler head.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a rotatable sprinkler having vibration means adapted to vibrate the head and operated by a whirl of water flowing through the sprinkler, the vibration means being freely mounted for rolling movement but having its peripheral portions out of contact with the chamber in which it is contained.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through a sprinkler embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the sprinkler; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing by reference numerals, H) designates a supporting post having a pipe connection I I at its lower end by means of which it may be readily connected to a water supply pipe. The post is provided with a cylindrical surface I 2, in rotatable bearing relation with a lower portion I3 of the sprinkler head I. Near its upper end, the sprinkler head is rotatably journalled on a cylindrical surface l5 with which the post is provided, the two points or surfaces of bearing engagement between the post and the sprinkler head being spaced apart a suitable distance for the provision of a main water chamber l 6, to which water is supplied through a number of large slots I! in the supporting post. The supporting post has a water supply passage leading up to the slots l1 so it will be apparent that the water chamber IS in the sprinkler head is in free communication with the water supply passage.

The lower portion B of the sprinkler head is preferably constructed as a separate piece attached by the threaded connection l9 to the main portion of the head, suitable packing material 20 being provided adjacent the post and. between the two sprinkler head portions, as shown. The sprinkler head is held against vertical movement on the post by an end bearing arrangement pro- ;5 vided in the top of the head. As herein shown, the upper end of the post is shouldered as indicated at 22, a metal washer 23 resting against the shoulder and also against a shoulder 24 on the sprinkler head. The washer 23 is held against the shoulder 24 by a cap 25 which is connected to the upper end of the sprinkler head by the threads 26. This cap has a portion which bears against the upper surface of the ring or washer 23, holding the ring in position. The upper end of the post is provided with a threaded extension 2'! having aholding nut 28 threaded thereon, the holding nut engaging a plate 29 which is recessed on its lower side to provide a space for the non-metallic packing material 30 provided between the plate 29 and the upper side of the ring 23. By means of such construction the sprinkler head is held in a predetermined position axially of the post, but is freely rotatable on the post, the rotatable bearing contact being provided between the parts 3E! and 23.

Projecting radially outwardly and upwardly from one side of the sprinkler head'is a'water distributing pipe 32 through which the main stream of water is distributed over the ground.

On'the end of this pipe is a suitable spray nozzle 33. The pipe 32, as shown, is substantially straight, extending upwardly at a suitable angle as well as radially, to provide a wide throw of water. Its inner end is provided with a threaded connection 34 with the sprinkler head so that the pipe is in free communication with the main water chamber It. The longitudinal axis of the pipe 32 preferably corresponds substantially with the direction of thrust force exerted on the pipe 40 by'the reaction of the water flowing from the nozzle 33, this axis or force direction intersecting the longitudinal axis of the post III at a point between the upper and lower limits of the rotatable bearing surfaces provided on the head and post so that the thrust force exerted by the water flowing from the nozzle-33 is exerted between the upper and lower bearings of the head and any unbalanced ortilting tendencies producing the Water reaction areeffectively minimized.

On the opposite side of the head from the .main distributing pipe 32, the head is provided with a closure plate 36, held in place by attaching screws 31 and providing a supporting means for a reaction sprinklerpipe 38 having a sprinkler nozzle 39 from which the water is distributed in a nonradial direction in order that a suitable water reaction is exerted in a direction tending to rotate the head about its support. The direction of water distribution from the nozzle 39 may be altered as desired, as the pipe 38 is rotatably connected to the plate 36. As shown, the inner end of the pipe 38 is fastened in a threaded socket 48 which is threaded on a short pipe 4|. The inner end of the pipe 4| is rotatably journalled in a cylindrical bearing surface 42 provided in the boss 43 on the plate 36. At its inner end, the pipe 4| is flanged outwardly and received in a groove in the plate 36 with a suitable packing gasket 44 between the flange and the groove. The pipe 38 together with a socket 40 and the short pipe 4| may be rotated in the plate 36 to adjust the direction of distribution of water from the distributing nozzle 39 and thus vary the amount of reaction force tending to rotate the head. Any desired position of adjustment may be maintained by the knurled handwheel 46 which is rotatably threaded on the short pipe 4| and adapted to bear or bind against the end of the boss 43 to thus lock the parts in any desired position of adjustment.

The amount of water supplied from the nozzle 39 is preferably very much less than that which flows through the main distributing pipe 32, and the reaction force tending to rotate the nozzle is not very great as it is desired that the head should rotate quite slowly in order that the water will be thrown to a maximum distance from the main distributing pipe 32. To provide for continued slow rotation of the head and insure against binding between the head and supporting post at the points of bearing, means are provided to vibrate or shake the head and thus keep the head sufficiently agitated at all times as to maintain a free bearing engagement of the head on the post and require only a small tangential reaction force to rotate the head. For this purpose, the water flowing from the main water chamber l6 to the distributing pipe 38 is caused to actuate a ring or pellet in an auxiliary water chamber 48, which, as herein shown, is provided in the sprinkler head. This water chamber is defined by a partition plate 49 seating against flange 50,-a sleeve 5| abutting against the partition plate 49,- and an end disk 52 abutting against the outer end of the sleeve 5| and held in place by the cover plate 36. A suitable gasket 53 is provided between the plate 36 and the disk 52 to prevent leakage. The chamber 48 is in communication with the passage in the short pipe 4|, the other side of the chamber being in communication with the main water chamber |6 through several circumferentially arranged jet openings 55 which are arranged angularly so as to produce a tangential or circulatory whirl of water in the auxiliary chamber 48. On the partition plate 49 is a fixed stud 56 having a smooth cylindrical surface 51 in the chamber 48. Bearing against the surface 51 and surrounding the stud is a ring 59. The hole in the ring is very much larger than the diameter of the stud 56, but the ring is small enough in diameter so that it is always maintained some distance away from the sleeve 5|. The ring is caused to revolve or roll on the stud by the water whirling in the chamber 48, and since the ring is not held centered with respect to the stud it will be apparent that a vibration or shaking action is imparted to the head. Since the ring bears against or rolls on the stud 56 at a middle portion of the chamher this hearing point of engagement is at a point where the water in the chamber is comparatively free of grit, sand or other heavy or abrasive substances which are caused to assume a position along or closer to the peripheral wall of the chamber by, reason of their greater weight and the centrifugal action caused by their rotating or whirling motion. The outside of the ring is out of contact with the peripheral walls of the chamber, that is out of contact with the inside of the sleeve 5| where the sand and grit are most likely to be, and there is thus a minimum of wear on the ring and a minimum of friction due to the absence of grit or abrasive substances at the point of bearing of the ring and due to the rolling action of the ring on the stud as distinguished from a sliding action.

The vibration or shaking of the head produced by the rapidly moving ring, which operates in a vertical plane at one side of the head axis, permits of the distribution of a comparatively small amount of water from the distributing pipe 38, while the main flow out through the pipe 32, having a practically unrestricted passage will provide a maximum coverage radius. The moving ring is provided in the path between the main water chamber l6 and the reaction sprinkler and the restriction to the flow offered by the ring and the auxiliary chamber in which it operates is provided only in the flow of water to the reaction nozzle. In accordance with this invention, therefore, the sprinkler head can be rotated in a dependable manner but quite slowly to' avoid defiection of the main stream out of a radial path. The entire apparatus is comparatively simple and economical in construction but very reliable in operation.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to' be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A water sprinkler comprising a supporting post having a water supply passage therein, a rotatable sprinkler head having its lower portion surrounding said post and in rotatable bearing engagement therewith and having its upper portion surrounding an upper portion of said post and in rotatable bearing engagement therewith, said head having a water chamber between its upper and lower points of bearing engagement with the post and in free communication with said water supply passage, a substantially straight main distributing pipe extending upwardly and outwardly from one side of said head and in free communication with said chamber and adapted to distribute the main portion of the water radially outwardly from said head in a single stream, the longitudinal axis or" said distributing pipe intersecting the longitudinal axis of said post between the upper and lower limits of the bearing engagement of the head on the post, a reaction sprinkler in communication with said chamber and adapted to distribute a small portion of the water to produce a reaction force tending to rotate the head, and vibration means operated by the water flowing to said reaction sprinkler for producing a vibration of the head.

2. A water sprinkler comprising a supporting post having a water supply passage therein, a rotatable sprinkler head having its lower portion surrounding said post and in rotatable bearing engagement therewith and having its upper portion surrounding an upper portion of said post and in rotatable bearing engagement therewith, said head having a main water chamber between its upper and lower points of bearing engagement with the post and in free communication with said water supply passage, a substantially straight main distributing pipe extending upwardly and outwardly from said head and in free communication with said chamber and adapted to throw the water radially outwardly and upwardly, said pipe having its longitudinal axis so arranged as to intersect the longitudinal axis of said post between the upper and lower limits of bearing engagement of the head on the post, an auxiliary water chamher in communication with said main water chamber, partition means between said chambers having an opening adapted to create a tangential whirl of water in the auxiliary chamber, a reaction sprinkler having a water passage in communication with said auxiliary chamber, a stud in said auxiliary chamber, a ring having a hole larger in diameter than said stud, said ring surrounding said stud and rolling thereon under the influence of the whirling action of the water in the auxiliary chamber to produce a vibration of the head, the peripheral portions of said ring being out of contact with the peripheral portions of the chamher.

3. In a sprinkler, a supporting post having a water passage, a sprinkler head rotatable on said post, said head having a water chamber in communication with said water passage, a stud fixed with respect to said head, a ring having a hole of larger diameter than said stud, said ring surrounding and rolling on said stud with the peripheral portions of the ring out of contact with the peripheral portions of said chamber to vibrate the head, means for creating a whirling action of the water in said chamber to revolve said ring, and reaction means for distributing water from said chamber.

4. In a sprinkler, a supporting post having a water passage therein, a sprinkler head rotatably mounted on said post, said head having a water chamber in communication with said water passage, a fixed stud provided in said head, a ring having a hole larger in diameter than said stud, said ring surrounding and revolving on said stud with the peripheral portions of the ring out of contact with the peripheral portions of the chamber, means for creating a water whirl in said chamber to revolve said ring on said stud, reaction means for distributing water from said chamber, and a water distributing pipe extending radially outwardly and upwardly from said head.

WALTER H. COLES. BERT J. NELSON. 

